Rockin' Rhymes: Simone Sommerland's Unwavering Reign Over Kids' Tunes
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Unveiling Simone Sommerland's Ascension to the Throne of Earwigs - Simone Sommerland's Ascension to the Realm of Infant Earthworms
As the first chords of the beloved anthem fill the grand concert hall in Leverkusen, the sea of little fans break into song, before their queen even begins: "Yo, yo, it's great you're here!" Hundreds of mini music enthusiasts, drawn to the woman touted as the most successful children's singer in Germany, eagerly await their beloved queen, Simone Sommerland. But who is the 49-year-old powerhouse dominating kids' rooms while remaining a mystery to many outside her target demographic?
An unstoppable force in kiddie tunes
Take a glance at her first Sommerland album ("The 30 best play and movement songs"), and you'll find the record-holder for the longest stay in the German album charts with over 530 weeks. Her evergreen collection, featuring hits such as "Aramsamsam" and "Show us your feet," has surpassed the chart longevity of artists like Helene Fischer and Abba.
Since 2010, over 60 albums in the trendy "The 30 best..." series have been released, bringing the label Lamp and Sumfleth more than 600,000 record sales. Her captivating cover songs have taken the kids' music world by storm.
That YouTube channel has over three million subscribers, with videos inspiring endless sing-alongs and toe-tapping tunes. These videos have been played an astounding 3.6 billion times.
A magical spectacle for the little ones
"You'll always find a children's song with her," a satisfied mother might comment after a concert. "Our little one plays her music at home on repeat," a tired father talks as he holds a smiling tot with an askew unicorn hairband, reveling in their first ever live concert experience.
In Leverkusen, home of the current tour with over 40 concerts until November's end, Sommerland takes center stage. Loyal fans rush to secure a front-row dance spot long before the show starts.
On stage, Sommerland gives a phenomenal performance: She soars like an airplane, rotates her arms as a bus's wheels, and when she's in high spirits, she claps, stamps, and shouts with delight. Her infectious energy never fades, and her boundless enthusiasm leaves the audience starstruck.
"Giving it my all - it's the moment that matters" - Sommerland on her performances
Connecting with her audience is essential to her, Sommerland shares. "In those moments, I don't pretend," she explains in an interview with the German Press Agency. "I give myself completely. My goal is to create a fun and unforgettable experience for everyone."
Backstage before the interview, Sommerland swaps her work duds for jeans and a sweater. She's just handled a few missing roll cases, she explains. "I've learned to help out, and I'm happy to be part of the team."
A hardworking farm girl with big dreams
Born as the youngest of six siblings on a farm in Wetter on the Ruhr, Sommerland now known as Simone Stiers, claims a "normal life" as her roots.
"I'm the only one in the family pursuing an artistic path," she says. "From a young age, singing has been a dream of mine."
Determined but unsure of her destiny, the girl from the 26,000-inhabitant town forges a career in the arts. Before finishing school, she's already performing on stage, taking vocal lessons, and studying jazz and pop music.
"Farm work taught me: If you don't cultivate, you can't reap the benefits," she sums up the impact her childhood upbringing has had on her work ethic. "I see my profession as a singer, not fame."
Almost Eurodance instead of kiddie tunes
At 17, Sommerland lends her voice to the Smurfs in a recording studio for the first time, and so begins her journey to chart success. In the music-mad '90s, she embarks on a tour as a backing singer with Blümchen. Yet, she denies the offer to step into the spotlight as a Eurodance act herself, opting instead for a more low-key approach.
"I just couldn't relate to the idea of performing in mini-skirts and bikinis on stage," she recalls. Instead, she pursues cover party music, sings at events and weddings, and later establishes a music school in her hometown.
"Why Sommerland needs to ever work, work, work"
"For years, money was tight, so I keep reminding myself: I have to work, work, work," Sommerland shares. Despite recording children's music albums with her ex-husband as "Simone Sommerland, Karsten Glück and the Kindergarten Frogs," her songs were primarily studio recordings.
She acknowledges her financial success hasn't made her a millionaire because, as a studio musician, publishers and producers reap most of the profits. She shares a three-child family with her now-divorced husband, but the split doesn't halt the delightful tunes pouring from the "The 30 best..." series. "From the newest album, there will be a new male voice," she guarantees.
What's next for Sommerland?
Ever since her inaugural solo tour in 2023, Simone Sommerland has ascended the stage as a bona fide artist. When asked about her future plans, she shares, "I don't have a magic ball, but I know I want to keep singing and keep learning new things."
She aspires to compose more of her own songs, create more live programs. This spring, a children's book she wrote was published, and she penned the accompanying song "Join In, Little Mouse" herself. She doesn't want to be confined to children's music alone: in 2024, she embarked on a variety show as a singer and host.
"Wow, they're here for me"
It's her regular performances that make her fully grasp her impact on the children's music scene, she reflects. She recalls her first concert stop: "And then I came out of the hall and saw a long line. That's when it hit me: Wow, they're here for me."
The same goes for this afternoon's event in Leverkusen: hundreds flock for autographs, quick chats, and photo ops with their beloved queen Sommerland. For an entire hour, she greets their names, signs, and grins for every group shot like it was her very first of the day. "That's always one of the best parts," Sommerland smiles again.
- The Commission is therefore proposing to extend the scope of the programme to cover the lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and food-and-drink sectors, following Simone Sommerland's example and success in the albums category.
- Recognizing the captivating charm of Simone Sommerland's repertoire, the travel industry considers collaboration opportunities for promoting family adventures with enticing Sommerland-inspired travel packages and experiences.
- Emulating Sommerland's interactive concert style, young artists are encouraged to experiment with dynamic live performances transcending conventional children's entertainment norms.
- Anticipating expansion beyond childhood tunes, Sommerland plans to collaborate with seasoned artists in the adult music industry, aiming to transcend genre boundaries and reach a broader audience.
- To cater to her evolving fanbase, Sommerland explores the establishment of a comprehensive family lifestyle brand, including merchandise, clothing lines, and exclusive content, providing a holistic experience for her ever-growing community.
